Three changes the Turnbull Government has made to Australia’s Multicultural Statement

http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/three-changes-the-turnbull-government-has-made-to-australias-multicultural-statement/news-story/772da543dbda3650ccf9eba818747a61

MALCOLM Turnbull has released a new statement redefining what it means to be part of “multicultural Australia”.

The Prime Minister launched the statement today, the first time it has been changed since Labor’s Julia Gillard released her government’s version in 2011. The statement was first released in 1996.

The latest multicultural statement includes British and Irish settlers as being part of the makeup of ‘multicultural Australia’, not just ethnic minorities and indigenous people.
Mr Turnbull emphasised this in his statement today too.

“Australians look like every face, every race, every background because we define ourselves and our nation by our commitment to shared political values, democracy, freedom and the rule of law,” he said.

“We are as old as our first Australians ... and yet we are as young as the baby in the arms of her migrant mother who could have come from any nation, any faith, any race. We are an immigrant nation”.

Professor Andrew Markus, who conducts research on immigration, diversity and public opinion, said broadening the definition of multiculturalism was a good thing.
“It’s much more inclusive, it’s makes it clear that multiculturalism is not about ‘them’, it’s about all of us,” he told news.com.au.

“It’s a very positive reframing in my view.”

While the new statement also emphasises learning English and talks about the threat of terrorism, Prof Markus said he didn’t think there was a big change and it was “essentially a reaffirmation of the value of multiculturalism”.

“What’s particularly significant in the present document, is that it recognises the heightened tension, about terrorism and the domestic implications of that, but it delivers a very strong message on unity, and focuses on what unites us, and on mutual respect.”

One new initiative the government points to in the document, is the reform of settlement services to deliver improved English language, education and employment outcomes for refugees.

But Prof Markus said the imagery used in the statement, which includes many different ethnicities and photos of women wearing the hijab, also kept the focus on diversity, not on Anglo-conformity.

“It talks about mutual respect and racism being incompatible with Australian society, which is as strong as anything in previous documents.”

Here’s what has changed.

REDEFINING ‘MULTICULTURAL’ AUSTRALIA

The statement specifically mentions British and Irish settlers and includes them as being part of the makeup of ‘multicultural Australia’, not just ethnic minorities and indigenous people.

It says Australia owes its accomplishments to the contributions of more than 300 different ancestries “from the first Australians to the newest arrivals”.

Alongside profiles of Syrian refugee and immigrants from Nigeria, Serbia and Taiwan, it also features a profile of businessman and Scanlon Foundation founder Peter Scanlon, whose grandparents migrated from Ireland in the 1880s.

This is a shift away from the previous statement which talked about government services and programs being responsive to “culturally diverse communities”.

SETS OUT ‘AUSTRALIAN VALUES’

While the previous statement talked about “shared rights and responsibilities”, and that citizens must uphold the country’s laws and democracy, the new statement expands on this.

It specifically points to learning English as something that helps the country sustain unity.

“English is and will remain our national language and is a critical tool for migrant integration”.

However, it also recognises that the country’s “multilingual workforce” is a competitive edge in an increasingly globalised economy.

It also sets out what Australian values are, including “equality of men and women”, “commitment to freedom” and “support of freedom of thought, speech, religion, enterprise and association”.

There is a section that addresses terrorist attacks around the world, and it says “the Australian Government places the highest priority on the safety and security of all Australians”.

“The Government affirms that we best reinforce the safety of the Australian community by focusing on what unites us and addressing our differences through mutual respect,” the statement says.

EMPHASISES SHARED OBLIGATIONS

While the previous statement talked about the importance of government services being “responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds”. this has been dropped in the latest version.

The statement also moves away from the government using “the force of the law” to respond to expressions of intolerance and discrimination.

Instead it states “we condemn people who incite racial hatred”, and points to “regular inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue” as a way to reduce tensions.

It also points to settlement programs supporting refugees to become “self-reliant”.

“Settlement programs support migrants to become self-reliant and active members of the Australian community,” the statement says.

Australian Multi-Culturalism:-  (N) ..

(1) an amorphous agglomeration of racial, ethnic and religious entities, all competing for the same space in which to live by their own standards and entrenched social values while offering to their fellow occupants and contestants for living space (Lebensraum) suspicion, fear, and outright hostility, up to and including violence either personal or ritualised as a component of a specific group....

(2)  the opportunity to partake of a wide range of foods, women, and cultural activities that would otherwise be denied the average occupant of this nation....

(3) a bunch of politically correct ballschat organised by losers in bad coats and ties to justify lowering the standards and economic value of the working class....

(4)  an international conspiracy wrought by The Twelve, with the clear intent of establishing One World Order on the bones and blood of the casualties of multi-culturalism and other miscegenist ideas that divide people rather than allowing them to organise in socially meaningful groups for the betterment of all....

"Ummm... well... ummm.."

"Ten seconds!"

"Arrrhhh.. lock in (A), Eddie...."

"What? You serious?  For Wun Milyun Dullahs - you want (a)? 
why would you choose (a)?"

"I'll take (a), Eddie... thanks but no thanks."

"I'll give you another chance... well.. for a million bucks... you deserve that...... right after the break!"

It's all about burying the preeminence of the British contribution to the creation of this First World nation which is the envy of our northern neighbours who are brass-bowl recipients of this country's taxpayers.

It's all about diminishing the preeminent role the British and their descendants have played in the settlement and development of this barren continent which today is a migrant destination for over 300 ethnicities from their failed societies.

In other words it's an oblique exercise in Brit-bashing via Anglo-Australians with a view to making our Third World ethnics feel better about themselves.

It also confirms and further entrenches the existing PC policy of non-assimilation by migrants with Australia's core values as derived from its British heritage.

EMPHASISES SHARED OBLIGATIONS

While the previous statement talked about the importance of government services being “responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds”. this has been dropped in the latest version.

The statement also moves away from the government using “the force of the law” to respond to expressions of intolerance and discrimination.

Instead it states “we condemn people who incite racial hatred”, and points to “regular inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue” as a way to reduce tensions.

It also points to settlement programs supporting refugees to become “self-reliant”.

“Settlement programs support migrants to become self-reliant and active members of the Australian community,” the statement says.



I do honestly believe this country has done a good job.

when I came here its was very laid back she'll be right Jack attitude.. migrants were called New [/i[i]]Australians... .. and the majority were welcomed... and they fitted in   that was the main thing..

They didnt whinge or want this law to change or that rule to change to make them even more welcome..they accepted what was here they learned English well the younger ones  did  and they intermarried they moved all over the country! welfare was almost unheard of..everyone worked for what they had...

I am very proud of what this country has achieved... we should hang on to it like grim death....some people or groups.. are trying to change our culture  to fit in with people who claim they have come here for a better way of life...

Well I disagree with changing our laws or disappearing our Christian identity in case we offend....in fact I am over it..I am also a bit over having past mistakes shoved down my neck as if I was one of the perpetrators...sick of the them and us  and white against black.. its time to put a stop to that...imo...equality will only even be  if we accept everyone has as much right to speak up and the next person..as long as it breaks no laws....

we can see by some of the language on here alone that will never happen.. but it doesnt mean we shouldnt keep trying.

that what I love about aussies... they never give up.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Mar 21^st, 2017 at 8:28pm:


Ya got dat right Kebin

This is arrant nonsense. This is more government promoted BS to divert the public's attention from unemployment and the economy.

Multiculturalism doesn't bother us Anglo Aussie folk out here in the bush. Only the wild animals are multicultural, they get on fairly well together but some of them have a habit of eating each other.

A multicultural fox surgically removed a bread roll from my bag of tiger rolls in my boot the other night. I left the boot open while opening the house and organizing the fridge for the new lot of grub after the trip home from town

another attempt to divide an conquer by the useless malcolm

for different people it means different things.